Three in a tree safety

[phyllmud]

Hello! I have five juveniles; 2 Polish hens, 1 salmon Favorelle and 2 Americanas. All brought home the same day, all have their own coop from the established flock. I have had them for about 6 weeks and they are doing well except...2 Polish and 1 Americana insist on roosting in the pine tree. All fun and games until the preditors get hungry. Hubby suggested clipping wings but 1) don’t know how and 2) feel like they wouldn’t be living their best life. We do not eat them so they are here for eggs and my relaxation. Please someone advise!

 

[aart]

Did you 'home' them to the coop(keeping them confined for a week or two) when you first got them?
Is coop big enough for 5 birds?
Dimensions and pics might help here.

Do they interact with the rest of your flock while ranging?
I'm assuming they all range together.

 

[phyllmud]

No, I didn’t coop them for a week. The three will go in both coops and runs during the day when I free range them all. They will eat and drink, mingle with the others but I can’t get those 3 girls into any coop at bedtime. They totally ignore me unless it’s the middle of the afternoon.

 

[ShannonR]

Do you feed them inside the coop in the evenings? Try to get them in their coop, and lock them in until they figure out where to sleep. Same procedure will teach them to lay eggs in their coop also.

 

[phyllmud]

Yes in the evening but they eat leftovers in the big coop/run during the day. I do though throw scratch and feed under the tree so that they aren’t hungry, no much.

 

[ShannonR]

Yes in the evening but they eat leftovers in the big coop/run during the day. I do though throw scratch and feed under the tree so that they aren’t hungry, no much.

If you really want them to sleep in their coop, you should stop feeding them near the tree. Feed them inside the coop only. You're going to have to lock them up at night for awhile until their sleeping habit changes.

If you aren't worried about where they sleep, you can continue with what you are doing now. But really, the only way to convince them to sleep in their coop is to make them do it.